Amazon SES delivery events stop at the recipient's mail server

A delivery event is useful evidence, but it does not establish inbox placement or that a person read the message. SES defines the event around delivery to the recipient's mail server.

For the SES directory entry, label application states accordingly. Keep accepted submission, delivery, bounce and complaint handling distinct. When troubleshooting a missing message, preserve the message identifier and event timeline without claiming that “delivered” means “seen.”